Criterium race cancelled after crash in women's race

The NRS men's field ready to start the 40-minute criterium that was eventually cancelled due to lack of light

(Alex Malone)

NRS leader Katrin Garfott leads on the blisteringly-fast descent

(Mark Gunter)

Emma Viotto pushes it over the top and onto the descent

(Mark Gunter)

Chloe McConville (VIS) pushes the pace

(Mark Gunter)

Rebecca Werner (Specialized Securitor) gaps the field on the tough ascent

(Mark Gunter)

Georgia Baker (Polygon) feels the burn of the climb during the criterium

(Mark Gunter)

Ruby Livingston (BikeBug) digs in

(Mark Gunter)

A local watches on as the women hook through turn number one

(Mark Gunter)

The BOSS Racing Team were keen to race the cri

(Mark Gunter)

The NRS women start their criterium

(Mark Gunter)

Another shot of the steep climb that ended the day for many of the women's racers until it was eventually cancelled

(Alex Malone)

The women's field were strung out each time up the climb

(Alex Malone)

The highly technical course resulted in numerous crashes in the women's race

(Alex Malone)

A smaller climb had to be negotiated shortly after the start/finish line each lap

(Alex Malone)

Riders flew up this section of course

(Alex Malone)

The women's field under neutral conditions due to another fall

(Alex Malone)

The high-speed downhill run into the final bend nearing the finish line

(Alex Malone)

It was barely 100m from the final high-speed bend to the finish banner

(Alex Malone)

The women stay close behind the car in the opening neutral laps

(Alex Malone)

The NRS men would miss out on hauling down this steep section of the course heading to the finish line

(Alex Malone)

The road quickly dropped away after the steep climb

(Alex Malone)

Riders were struggling to come to terms with the steep hill each lap

(Alex Malone)

This was where the damage was done in each of the numerous races run throughout the day

(Alex Malone)

A nasty pothole was located right on the apex leading into the fast downhill section

(Alex Malone)

It was a long and eventually disappointing day for the women's and men's National Road Series fields at this year's Battle on the Border. The women's Stage 3 criterium and men's Stage 4 criterium were both cancelled after crashes littered the women's race - which was held prior to the men's.

The biggest crash occurred less than 30 minutes into the women's race with an ambulance being called to the scene. The women were put under neutral conditions until the race was eventually nullified due to the fallen rider obstructing the course. One intermediate sprint was held however, the general classification remained unchanged from the morning's time trial result.

Ruth Corset (Pensar SPM Racing) retained her lead in the general classification and will start the final stage with an eight-second advantage over second-place Miranda Griffiths (Holden Women) - who took out Stage 1 into Murwillumbah. NRS leader Katrin Garfoot (Pensar SPM Racing) lies in third overall, 32-seconds behind her teammate and race leader Corset.

Men's NRS criterium cancelled due to falling light

A longer-than-expected delay for the emergency service vehicle to aid fallen rider in the women's race forced race organisers to cancel the men's race. The 40-minute event had been scheduled as the final event for the day and with falling light posing concerns for rider safety, the race was eventually cancelled.

There was a mix of frustration and relief from the riders and team managers as many lamented the huge time difference between the morning's criterium and the late afternoon criterium. Most of the teams had spent the day in Murwillumbah while they awaited the start of Stage 4.

The cancelled race means that Jack Haig (Huon Salmon-Genesys Wealth Advisers) will start the fifth and final day of racing firmly at the top on the general classification while second-place and teammate Jai Crawford sits 39-seconds down on his younger compatriot. Adam Semple put in an impressive ride in the morning's 9.3km time trial and will start the 99.3km final road race, looking for more than 45-seconds to topple the seemingly unshakeable Haig and his Huon Salmon-Genesys team.